Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

Marquette, home of Northern Michigan University, was ranked as one of the safest college towns in America, according to The SafeWise Report. Northern takes pride in having a campus that is caring, inclusive and ready to take action in light of safety concerns. Northern encourages students, employees and visitors to make themselves familiar with the resources and services available for assistance in matters of safety.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

The CNAS offers several courses online as asynchronous courses (students work independently) or through the online video platform Zoom with pre-arranged meeting times. A very specific Native American Studies minor can be completed online. Learn more about online learning at NMU's Global Campus.

The online asynchronous NAS courses include:

NAS 204 Native American Experience

NAS 315 History of Indian Boarding School Education

NAS 330 Native Cultures and the Dynamics of the Religious Experience

Online courses that utilize the ZOOM video platform include:

NAS 101 Anishinaabe Language, Culture, and Community I

NAS 404 Research and Engagement in NAS

NAS 485 American Indian Education

NAS 486 American Indian Educational Law and Leadership

Photo right: NAS faculty and students take part in a special topics course Native American Professional Development (F17) taught by Dr. Jud Sojourn. The right screen features satellite students away from the NMU Campus: (top left) Dr. Chris Gordon, faculty at JKL Lumsden Bahweting Anishinaabe PSA School, (top right) Denise Cadeau, Native American studies director at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwe Community College, (bottom) Kristi Phillips, faculty at Nah Tah Wahsh PSA. Students on the NMU campus: (bottom) Tom Biron, (left to right), Dr. Jud Sojourn, April Lindala, Dr. Martin Reinhardt, and Leora Lancaster.

What also makes NAS courses distinct is the connection to Indigenous ancestral homelands as well as connection to forests, animals, water, and environment. Students concerned about an Indigenous earth ethic may wish to explore these following courses.

NAS 207 a, b, c Seasonal Exploration Anishinaabe Language

NAS 240 Sacred Ground: Native Peoples and Mother Earth

NAS 340 Kinomaage: Earth Shows Us the Way

NAS 342 Indigenous Environmental Movements

NAS 440 Awesiinh: Wild Animal Relations

Photo: Students from NAS 340 Kinomaage course (summer 2018).

Educators already in the classroom and students interested in education would benefit from the following NAS courses (some of which are available for graduate credit)

Students interested in political science, pre-law, and social justice would benefit from the following NAS courses.

NAS 212 Michigan Wisconsin Tribal Relations

NAS 288 Politics of Indian Gaming

NAS 310 Tribal Law and Government

NAS 342 Indigenous Environmental Movements

NAS 414 First Nations Women

NAS 424 Indian Activism and Contemporary Cultural Expression

NAS 488 Native American Service Learning Project

Photo: Martin Reinhardt (back to the camera) does a demonstration of the Moccasin Game with NMU students in Jamrich Hall to promote the offering of NAS 288.

Students immersed in the fields of art, literature, media, and cultural studies would enjoy the following NAS courses.

NAS 101 Anishinaabe Language, Culture, and Community I

NAS 224 Native American Beadwork Styles

NAS 280 Storytelling by Native American Women

NAS 320 American Indians: Identity and Media Images

NAS 330 Native Cultures and the Dynamics of the Religious Experience

NAS 422 American Indian Humor

NAS 424 Indian Activism and Contemporary Cultural Expression

Photo: NAS students Caitlyn Wright, Amy Jo Klas, and Julie Rae Perry stand with their bead art during the 2018 Celebration of Student Works (April 12, 2018). Each student in NAS 224 (W18) created a portfolio of work to submit to the CSW for public presentation.

Do you have questions about Native American Studies programs and courses? Make an appointment to meet with April Lindala, director of the Center for Native American Studies, by calling 906-227-1397. April is also available for meetings via ZOOM video if you live far from the NMU Campus. Chi miigwech for your interest in Native American Studies programs and courses.